Lake Wanaka - World's First Lifestyle Reserve

The Lake Wanaka area impresses many newcomers with the wealth of cultural experiences it provides, and the diverse arts and entertainment happenings on offer. Take time to come and enjoy some of them with us.

Day One

Get the feel of Wanaka and visit one of the following:

• The down town galleries of Gallery 33, Robert Andersons’s Gallery and Artworks.
• Artisans Studio in Ardmore Street where local artists work is on display and for sale and also Tony Rice’s Gallery in Lakeside Road.
• Christopher Robyn’s studio in Ballantyne Road for quilting and craft.
• Travel to Luggate and visit Woody McMartin’s gallery and experience the taste of Archangel wines in the tasting room at the back of the gallery.
• Forty minutes down the road is Cromwell and a visit to Old Cromwell town on the edge of Lake Dunstan will find several small galleries of art work.
• Just a short distance down the road is Goldfields Village where you can pan for gold yourself and wander through the authentic historical gold mining village.
• During the summer months there are a huge number of orchard stalls selling a wide range of fruits including apricots, cherries, peaches, nectarines, apples and pears. Just yummy !

Day Two

• Join Gilbert van Reenan for a Clean Green Image photography instruction course.
• Try your hand at painting or photographing the spectacular Wanaka scenery.
• Travel up to the historic hotel at Cardrona for a coffee or meal – lunch or dinner. A relaxing and entertaining option is to take the Adventure Wanaka trike ride.
• Take in a movie and the famous hot cookies and home made ice cream at Cinema Paradiso

Date Three

• Join Lonely Mountain Tours for a guided food and wine experience.
• Take a self guided wine tour starting at Cromwell / Bannockburn area, travelling through the Gibbston Valley and returning over the Crown Range ending with a visit to the historic Cardrona Hotel.
• Alternatively go with a guide Wanaka Wine Tours, Funny French Cars, Alpine Coachlines or Ridgeline and experience either a full or half day guided tour of the vineyards in the area.
• Alternatively visit the local Rippon Vineyard for a tasting of their organically produced wines and our very own boutique brewery Wanaka Beerworks

Other Options:

• Visit the Sunday summertime markets on Pembroke Park and also the Farmer’s Market held on a Thursday afternoon.
• The biennial Festival of Colour is held in April and is a feast of cultural delights.
• Take a walk along the lake edge and check out the sculptures in place around Roy’s Bay.
• Check with the Lake Wanaka i-SITE Visitor Centre what performances are currently on in the area. Visiting performances are held regularly.
• Attend the Wanaka Mountain Film Festival held in July every year.
• The Wanaka Arts Society regularly holds exhibitions of their member’s work.
• Attend the Autumn Arts School held annually in April and provides hand on instruction courses by nationally recognised artists in a wide range of mediums.
• The Wanaka Embroidery School is held annually in March and is a extravaganza of workshop options.
• Make a visit in autumn (late March/April) and enjoy the spectacular autumn colours.
• Check out our events calendar to see what's on.